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As principal of
HABERMEHL DESIGN GROUP
I make it my business to create beautiful, inspiring spaces.

I love being my own boss even though I often learn the hard way (I blame the right side of
my brain).

One important lesson gleaned from years in a creative field is to always feed my imagination
or my work suffers. I've challenged myself to keep the blog content as original as possible,
using it to fuel extraordinary ideas that hopefully render into another successful project.

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After spending years decorating for big events and client homes for Christmas soirees, I have to confess that I sort of dread decorating for Christmas at my own home. The last few years my decorating has amounted to vases full of greenery, twigs and berries. Pinecones, beeswax candles and bowls full of mandarines being my biggest embellishment. My tree decorating thought process is “how can I recreate these same decorations to give it a new chic but minimal look?”…which is really code for….”I’m so bloody tired and I don’t feel like hanging these tedious ornaments!” And my tree has gotten noticeably smaller over the years too – which means less decorating. This is a harsh truth coming from a professional decorator.

However, with all that said I do love the Christmas season. It’s a time when the world turns off work for a few days and concentrates on what they value most – family and friends. If I can ignore the commercial harassment and feel the nostalgia there’s hope for me yet!

I thought I would give you a few tips on how to decorate simply, but oh so chic.

– Use real greenery…better to use a little of real than a lot of fake. Keep it simple, without a lot of adornment or even on its own.

– place thick, chunky candles everywhere under hurricanes, on antique plates or on cakes stands. I prefer natural beeswax candles.

– fill vases and bowls with the same natural things, such as white flowers, mandarins, cranberries or pinecones. Not an original idea, but still simple and beautiful.

– White lights and minimal decorations on a real tree looks just as nice as the full lavish trees dripping with ornaments in a trendy colour palette. I love seeing the green of a tree and rather not cover every inch of it.

– If you prefer more detail and colour, you can still keep it simple by adding a touch of the exotic using pomegranates, limes, and magnolia leaves to your mantel greens and in glass vases. You can switch out the usual shiny silver decorations with brass or copper metals instead.

– Atmosphere. Fill your home with gorgeous music and beautiful, natural scents.

– Relax. Family and friends will appreciate the time you took to plan a great menu and thoughtful, personal decorative touches, over an overly fussy home. Save the elaborate decorations for when you’re entertaining your boss.

You can also check out my Christmas Pinterest board for a few more simple, chic Christmas decorating ideas.